Unusual new knife (with big pics!)

K

Kazeryu

Joined
Nov 7, 2005
Messages
960
Since my birthday is coming up, I went down to the local overpriced knife store (there aren't any of the other kind in my city) to paw at all their display knives until I found one I liked well enough to order over the internet. (Would you pay $80 for a Native?) :mad:

Anyway, while I was browsing through their selection, I noticed an odd looking creature lurking in the corner on deep discount... unusual blade shape, flipper, ultra-discreet low rider clip, G10 insets on anodized aluminum scales... hrm.

I present to you the Xikar 188 Extreme!

Made from 'Z60 Stainless Steel' @ 58 RH with a sort of neat looking tanto/drop hybrid with a little swedge for fun and profit. Lock is anodized titanium liner lock inset into the aluminum scale.

Came razor sharp out of the box - possibly the sharpest knife I've ever had fresh out of the box - shaves the hair right off your arm with almost no effort. Blade is well centered and I couldn't make it touch the sides of the scales even with a moderate amount of force. I don't think this one is going to budge. G10 is very nicely textured and grippy, but pleasantly bevelled so as to be easy on the hands.

Picked this up for the equivalent of $54CAD, ($47 US) a significant savings from the (probably ludicrous) original list price of $129.99CAD. :thumbup:

Pictured with a SOG Flash II for comparison: (click for the big version)




Can anyone tell me a bit about the steel? I didn't find much after a quick search. I'd also love to hear from anyone who has owned this knife before.
 
Found this:

Z60CDV14: Carbon 0.6-0.65%; Manganese 0.45%; Chromium 14%; Nickel 0.15%; Vanadium 0.15 to 0.2%; Molybdenum 0.55 to 0.6%. A Swedish steel high in carbon that has both good edge retention and is easy to sharpen.
 
Another source indicates it similiar to AUS-8

Z60CDV14 --------------------- AUS8A
Carbon: 0.6 - 0.65% ------------ 0.7 - .75%
Manganese: 0.45% ------------- 0.5%
Chromium: 14.0% --------------- 13.0 - 14.5%
Nickel: 0.15% ------------------ 0.5%
Vanadium: 0.15 - 0.2% ---------- 0.1 - 0.25%
Molybdenum: 0.55 - 0.6% ------- 0.1 - 0.3%
 
Weird but interesting. I'm looking at Xikar knives for some time. Like its strong point and high grind. Shame about the combo though. Looks like it's got a flipper. Are you able to flip it open?
 
Happy Birthday! Love the knife. I especially like that deep-ride clip.
 
I have the Extreme with amboyna scales. It is an excellent knife, great fit and finish and smooth. It is actually smooth enough to flip open just using the little nub which protrudes when the knife is closed.

Have never understood why the Extreme has never gotten the publicity it deserves. A great under rated knife.

You will grow to love yours.
 
I used to have one of the Italian made Xikars, nice knife, gret pocket clip. And I had a Taiwan made one; wow, what a difference in quality!! The Italian made one was of MUCH higher quality!!
 
lukaszki said:
Weird but interesting. I'm looking at Xikar knives for some time. Like its strong point and high grind. Shame about the combo though. Looks like it's got a flipper. Are you able to flip it open?
Click to expand...

Right now it needs just a tiny, tiny bit of a flick combined with the flipper action - the flipper tab is pretty small. I think with a drop of oil I could flip it open with just a finger push - action is pretty smooth.

Oh, and since I didn't mention this before, it's 3.5 oz with a 3" blade.
 
Thanks. Sounds good. That's a pity they don't do a g10/plain version. I don't like combo and also wood - at least in tactical folder.
 
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